One Megacoolmama…

So, if you are a mega-busy megacoolmama like me, you know that sometimes it can be difficult to grab healthy snacks for ourselves during our hectic day.  Am I right?  I used to think that just packing a granola bar or 100-calorie pack of snack crackers was going to be just fine for me to snack on during the day.  However, since I have had my children, I have greatly modified the way I eat and what I eat.  I am now much more conscientious about what I put into my body and how it is going to affect me.  That being said, I was elated to see that one of my favorite magazines, Real Simple, had done a special section on healthy snacks that meet the following criteria:

1. They are about 200 calories (this is a good amount to keep your metabolism going at an ideal pace)
2. They contain at least 3 grams of fiber (fiber keeps you fuller longer and helps your body digest its food easier)
3. They contain at least 5 grams of protein (more protein = more snack satisfaction)
4. No more than 12 grams of fat (some fats are good, like from avocadoes and nuts, but the daily recommended amount is about 30-35 grams for an average adult)

It is important that your snacks are meeting the above criteria so that you are getting the energy you need throughout the day and so that you don’t overeat when mealtimes come around.  It has been proven that those who snack or “graze” throughout the day keep weight off easier than those who do not.  Also, these snacks are mega yummy, so, why not treat yourself? 

I have provided a link here  for you to go the Real Simple page and check out the snacks that met their criteria.  I actually use a lot of these ideas myself! 

Below, you will find my list of coupons and/or deals that go with the snacks mentioned.  Hopefully, if you haven’t been the best “snacker” this will give you a little motivation to go out and try something new and good for you (while saving you money)!  Megacool!

LIST

• 2 clementines and 7 walnut halves (sign up here  for special offers on Diamond nuts…I have seen Diamond walnuts on clearance at Target for the past three weeks or so!)
• 1/4 cup soy nuts and 1 tbsp. chocolate chips (go here for a printable coupon on Nestle chocolate chips)
• KIND Peanut Butter and Strawberry bar (go here to find KIND products for 25% off retail price!)
• 1/2 cup Annie’s Homegrown Organic Cheddar Snack Mix (Target has had great sales on these lately!)
• Starbuck’s Grande Nonfat Caffe Latte (save your receipt from your morning coffee and get $2 off a beverage after 2 p.m. the same day!)
• 3 cups popped popcorn + 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese + chili powder + a pinch of cayenne pepper (go here for a $.50 off one Newman’s Own brand organic popcorn)
• Vitalicious VitaTops Deep Chocolate muffin top (I eat these every day during the week for my “first” breakfast!  They are on clearance at Target right now at $8.48 for 12—an awesome deal!)
• 1/2 cup Yogi Granola Crisps Mountain Blueberry Flax (go here for a $1 off 2 coupon)
• 1/2 cup grapes + 1 stick light mozzarella string cheese (grapes are on sale for $.99/lb. at Meijer right now; also, there is a $.55 off 1 Frigo Cheese Heads String Cheese in your August 21 SmartSource coupon insert)
• 1 cup low-fat kefir + 1 peach (print out a coupon for organic low-fat kefir here)
• 1 packet plain instant oatmeal (made with water) + 1/2 cup blueberries (print out a $.55 off 1 Better Oats product here)
• 3/4 cup Barbara’s Puffins Peanut Butter & Chocolate cereal + 1/2 cup nonfat milk (go here to print out a coupon for Barbara’s cereal AND here to print out a coupon for $1 off 2 1/2 gallons of Horizon organic milk)
• 1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt + 2 tbsp. canned pumpkin + a pinch of pumpkin pie spice (go here for a $.50 off (1) 4-pack of Stonyfield probiotic yogurt)
• one 1.25 ounce package Beanitos Black Bean Chips + one 3.5 ounce cup mild salsa (go here for a $1 off 2 jars of Newman’s Own salsa)
• 2 carrots (cut into sticks) + 1 tbsp. natural peanut butter (organic baby carrots on sale 10 for $10 at Meijer right now AND all natural Market Pantry peanut butter on clearance for $1.94 a jar at Target!)
• 7 Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters (go here to print out your coupon for $.75 off 2)
• 1 Skinny Cow bar (on sale for $4 a box right now at Jewel, and when you purchase $12 worth of product, get a coupon for $4 off your next store visit!)
• 1/2 package Annie Chun’s Sprouted Brown Rice Sushi Wraps + 1/4 cup slivered vegetables (go here for an Annie Chun’s product coupon)
• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice + 1/4 cup vanilla soy milk + 2 tbsp. raisins (warmed together in the microwave) (go here for a soy milk coupon)

This is NOT the entire list, so be sure to check out the link to Real Simple’s healthy snacks, too!  These are just the snacks I could find coupons for!